New Medical Staff as Approved at the November Governing Board Meeting

New Medical Staff Members

Name	Specialty	Group Name	Appointment	Current Staff Membership
Baute, Antonio V., M.D.	Cardiovascular Disease	WS Cardiovascular Medicine	GRP	CH, DH, KH
Brown, William M., M.D.	Cardiovascular Disease	WS Cardiovascular Medicine	GRP	CH, DH, KH
Elsass, Amy L., M.D.	Cardiovascular Disease	WS Cardiovascular Medicine	PH, GRP	KH
Freitas, Alessandrina M., M.D.	LTAC Coverage	Windy Hill LTAC	WH, GRP
Greene, Deidre J., M.D.	Pediatrics	WS Kenmar Pediatrics	KH	GRP
Guichard, Paul C., DO	Cardiovascular Disease	WS Cardiovascular Medicine	PH, GRP	CH, DH, KH
Harris, Drew A., M.D.	LTAC Coverage	Windy Hill LTAC	WH, GRP
Holtz, Margaret C., M.D.	Anesthesiology	Georgia Anesthesiologists, PC	KH, PH
Incorvati, Dennis L., D.O.	Cardiovascular Disease	WS Cardiovascular Medicine	PH, GRP	CH, DH, KH
Mannino, Salvatore F., D.O.	Cardiovascular Disease	WS Cardiovascular Medicine	PH, GRP	CH, DH, KH
Orjioke, Ngozika A., M.D.	Pulmonary Medicine	The Lung Centers of Georgia	DH
Palac, Susan M., M.D.	Tele-NeuroMonitoring	Impulse Monitoring, Inc.	CH, DH, KH, PH, WH
Patel, Dhaval G., M.D.	Cardiovascular Disease	WS Cardiovascular Medicine	GRP	CH, DH, KH
Piedad, Bryan T., M.D.	Cardiovascular Disease	WS Cardiovascular Medicine	PH, GRP	CH, DH, KH
Thopu, Anuradha R., M.D.	Pulmonary Medicine	The Lung Centers of Georgia	GRP	CH, DH, KH
Williams, Eric L., M.D.	Family Medicine	WS Family Medicine	KH, GRP
Zimmerman, David A., M.D.	Cardiovascular Disease	WS Cardiovascular Medicine	GRP	CH, DH, KH

New Advanced Practice Professionals

Name	Specialty	Group Name	Appointment	Current Staff Membership
Austin, Jennifer C., NP	Nurse Practitioner	NW Georgia Oncology Centers	KH, WH	CH, DH
Batson, Jessica M., PA-A	Physician Anesthesia Asst	Georgia Anesthesiologists, PC	KH, PH
Benson, Jennifer A., PA	Physician Assistant	Family Medicine	KH, GRP
Butler, Diane B., PA	Physician Assistant	Pinnacle Orthopaedics & Sports	CH, DH, KH, PH
Chen, Michele A., NP	Nurse Practitioner	Georgia Kidney Associates	CH, KH, WH
Choi, Jonathan W., PA	Physician Assistant	The Bortolazzo Group, LLC	CH, DH, KH, PH
Culver, Robert L., PAA	Physician Anesthesia Asst	Tri-County Anesthesia	WH	CH, DH
Elder, Torra Y., PA	Physician Assistant	Metro Atlanta Surgical Assist	WH	CH, KH
Flynn, Patricia, PA	Physician Assistant	Marietta Dermatology Assoc.	KH
Guercio, Cynthia V., CNM	Nurse Midwife	South Cobb OB/GYN	CH, GRP
Holden, Horace P., Jr., PAA	Physician Anesthesia Asst	Georgia Anesthesiologists, PC	KH, PH
Jacquet, Nelson, PA	Physician Assistant	Cardiovascular Medicine	PH	CH, DH, KH
Miller, Marlene S., PAA	Physician Anesthesia Asst	Georgia Anesthesiologists, PC	KH, PH
Minear, Alissa P., PAA	Physician Anesthesia Asst	Georgia Anesthesiologists, PC	KH, PH
Nelson, Casey R., PA	Physician Assistant	Marietta Dermatology Assoc.	KH
Ratliff, Rebecca A., AuD	Audiology	ENT, LLC	KH, GRP
Ridings, Tansy, PA	Physician Assistant	Georgia Urology, P.A.	CH, DH, KH
Stubbs, Elizabeth J., PAA	Physician Anesthesia Asst	Tri-County Anesthesia	CH, DH
Thon, Daniel W., PAA	Physician Anesthesia Asst	Georgia Anesthesiologists, PC	KH, PH

WellStar is 2 Weeks Away from Becoming a Tobacco-Free Environment - New Policy Starts Jan. 1, 2012

As you know, a decision was made last year to become a completely tobacco-free environment at all WellStar facilities by Jan. 1, 2012. This process began with the implementation of the Absence from the Unit procedure in Feb. 2011, which restricts patients from leaving their units for non-therapeutic reasons, such as smoking.

The next step in the journey will be the implementation of the Tobacco-Free Environment policy (No. 3075) effective Jan. 1, 2012. This policy prohibits the use of tobacco products by anyone, anywhere on WellStar facilities. (Residents of the WellStar hospice facilities, nursing homes and assisted-living facilities are excluded from this policy.)

As a healthcare organization, we know the detrimental effects of smoking and use of tobacco products. Cigarette smoking accounts for nearly one of every five deaths each year in the United States. It increases the risk of coronary heart disease by two to four times; stroke by two to four times; men developing lung cancer by 23 times and women by 13 times; and dying from chronic obstructive lung diseases (such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema) by 12 to 13 times.

For these reasons, WellStar believes it is important that we set an example and protect the safety and health of all those who work in or visit our facilities by becoming tobacco-free. This is also part of a major wellness initiative to improve the health of our team members.

Over the past few months, we have been preparing our facilities and our team members to make this transition. This included new signage at our facilities, eliminating our smoking pavilions, making our community aware of our initiative, developing scripting and processes for dealing with visitors who use tobacco and, most importantly, helping our team members who use tobacco products kick the habit.

We have provided tobacco-using team members with a wide variety of resources to ease their transition. These resources included traditional cessation classes, nicotine replacement therapy, peer support groups, one-on-one assistance and much more.

Everyone’s support is needed in order to make this initiative successful. Thank you for helping us create a healthier environment for our System and the communities we serve.

January Department Meetings

WellStar Cobb Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Credentials	1/10 - noon	Administrative Board Room
Cobb Diabetes Team	1/12 – noon	Jasmine/Wisteria Room
Medical Executive Committee	1/17 - noon	Jasmine/Wisteria Room
Pediatric Department	1/31 - 5:15 p.m.	Magnolia Room

  
WellStar Douglas Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Credentials	1/3 – noon	Sweetwater Room
Douglas Diabetes Team	1/9 – 12:30 p.m.	Sweetwater Room
Medical Executive Committee	1/10 – noon	Sycamore Room
General Staff and Departments	1/19 – noon	Syscamore Room

WellStar Kennestone Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Credentials	1/4 – 7 a.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room
Medical Executive Committee	1/10 – 6 p.m.	Kennesaw Mountain Room
Kennestone Diabetes Team	1/11 – noon	Kennesaw Mountain Room
OB/GYN Department	1/16 – 5:30 p.m.	Azalea/Camellia Room
Surgery Department	1/18 – 7 a.m.	Azalea/Camellia Room
New Provider Orientation and Safety First Training	1/20 – 8 a.m.-noon	Kennesaw Mountain Room

WellStar Paulding Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Medical Executive Committee	1/12 – 12:30 p.m.	Dogwood Room
Paulding Diabetes Team	1/19 – 9 a.m.	Dogwood Room

WellStar Windy Hill Hospital

Committee/Dept.	Date & Time	Place
Windy Hill Diabetes Team	1/10 – noon	Garden Room
Medical Executive Committee	1/17 – 5:15 p.m.	Windy Hill Board Room

Holy Moly Remove My Foley!

Catheter associated urinary tract infections are a preventable source of harm to patients. “Holey Moly, Remove my Foley” is the tag line for a new program at WellStar Kennestone Hospital aimed at reducing those infections. A card will be placed in the chart to alert the rounding provider that a patient’s foley may not meet best practice protocols. Physicians will be prompted to remove the catheter or justify its continued use.

Indications for a foley catheter:  

• Perioperative use for selected surgical / invasive procedures
• Urine output monitoring in critically ill patients
• Management for acute urinary retention and urinary obstruction
• Assistance in pressure ulcer healing for incontinent patients
• End of life comfort care measures
• Alternatives to a foley catheter
• External catheters
• Intermittent catheterization multiple times a day
• Utilizing bladder scan to assess urinary retention instead of catheter
• Timed voiding
• Manage constipation/impaction (increases urinary incontinence)

WellStar Launches Nursing Leader Program

In partnership with the University of West Georgia, WellStar is offering a new graduate-level, Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) program. CNLs mentor and guide other RNs and serve as patient advocates.
Eighteen WellStar RNs began the program in August and will finish in May 2013 with a master’s degree. Participants work full-time while pursuing this advanced degree; classes are primarily online, with periodic face-to-face classes held at WellStar Development Center. The program is offered through WellStar’s Organizational Learning Scholar’s Program, which covers tuition and books in return for a two-year work commitment.

“CNLs will be assigned strategically to select units throughout our System,” explained Chenille Jones, MSN, RN, CNL, director of Learning and Development. “They will ensure best practices are employed, and that patients receive timely, cost-effective care.”

Studies show that CNLs are having a measurable impact on the quality of nursing services by:

• Quickly making significant progress on raising patient, nurse and physician satisfaction.
• Improving care outcomes.
• Realizing sizable cost savings.
• Promoting critical thinking and innovation in nursing care.
• Constructively managing change and promoting a team-based approach to care.
• Understanding the bigger picture when considering next steps, needed changes and setting improvements.

WellStar Nurse Residency Program Welcomes RN Graduates

In October, the Organizational Learning Department welcomed 105 newly-graduated registered nurses to the WellStar Nurse Residency Program.

“The Nurse Residency Program is designed to support WellStar’s mission and vision by assisting new graduate nurses as they transition to professional practice and the delivery of world-class healthcare,” said Ruth Wingel, MSN, RN, residency coordinator, WellStar Organizational Learning.

WellStar has partnered with the University Health Consortium (UHC) /AACN Nurse Residency Program, which was developed by experts from medical centers and schools of nursing across the country. The one-year program is designed to effectively support new graduate nurses as they transition into their first professional roles as caregivers in the acute-care hospital setting. Upon completion, the new graduate nurse gains clinical autonomy at the point of patient care.

The program is built on an evidence-based curriculum that meets national residency accreditation standards. Its core content focuses on three critical areas: leadership, patient outcomes and professional role. Nurse residents complete evidence-based team projects that provide the impetus for practice changes to promote safe, high-quality nursing care. Each nurse resident also develops a career plan to establish future goals within the nursing profession.

In order to maximize the success of the program, Organizational Learning has partnered with Nursing Leadership, Human Resources and Nursing Clinical Practice. Unit educators serve as group facilitators at each residency session to bring bedside nursing expertise to discussions.

WellStar also has partnered with academic institutions, such as the University of West Georgia, Kennesaw State University and Georgia Highlands College, to share knowledge and resources that assist the nurse residents in making a seamless transition into the profession.

January CME Events

With the January opening of the PCI program at WellStar Douglas, you are invited to attend the following CME:

WellStar Douglas Hospital Cardiac Grand Rounds
Jan. 17, 2012
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
The Centre @ Arbor Connection, 7475 Douglas Boulevard, Suite 100-A, Douglasville, Ga. 30135
Presentations by WellStar Medical Group, Cardiovascular Medicine physicians to include:
- Updates on Revascularization Therapies
- The Radial Approach in the Catheterization Lab
- Advances in the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure
- Management of Arrhythmias

Dinner, drinks and networking in advance of the presentation beginning at 5:55 p.m.

To register, call 770-226-9263

Primary Care Course
Topic: Endocrinology
Jan. 14, 2012
7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
WellStar Development Center

Breakfast will be included

To register, call 770-22-MYCME (69263)

“The Prevention of Surgical Site Infections with Valid Interventions”
Donald E. Fry, M.D.
Michael Pine and Associates
Jan. 18, 2012
6:45 – 8 a.m.
Kennestone Auditorium, 310 Building

• Breast Cancer Tumor Board – Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25; 7 a.m.; Post Stat Cancer Clinic; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cancer Conference (TB) – Jan. 4, 11, 18 and 25; 12 p.m.; Wisteria/Jasmine Room; WellStar Cobb Hospital
• Cancer Conference (TB) – Jan. 6 and 20; 7 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cardiology Case Conference – Jan. 31; 7 a.m.; Kennesaw Mountain Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Cardiothoracic Case Conference - Jan. 17; 7 a.m.; Radiology Conference Room
• Cobb Surgical M&M – Jan. 26; 7 a.m.; Wisteria/Jasmine Room
• GI Tumor Board – Jan. 5, 19 and 26; 7 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Kennestone Surgical M&M – Jan. 25; 7:30 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room
• Neuroradiology/General Neurology Patient Care Conference - Jan. 4; 7 a.m.; Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Neurosciences Conference – Jan. 4, 11, 18 and 25; 7 a.m.; Azalea/Camellia Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Safety First Recertification - Kennestone – Jan. 20; 10:30 a.m.; Administrative Conference Room; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Safety First Recertification – Douglas – Jan. 18; 6 p.m.; Administrative Conference Room; WellStar Douglas Hospital
• Thoracic Clinic – Jan. 4, 11 and 25; 5 p.m.; Post Stat Cancer Clinic; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Trauma Grand Rounds – Jan. 26; 7 a.m.; Auditorium; WellStar Kennestone Hospital
• Wound Case Conference – Jan. 6; 12 p.m.; Cobb Auditorium

WellStar Kennestone Physician Networking Social

WellStar Kennestone Physician Networking Social was held Thursday, Oct. 13 at the Marietta Country Club. More than 100 physicians joined WellStar senior leaders and the Physician Relations Team for this event. Below are some photos.

Certified Hand Therapists Join Team at WellStar Kennestone Hospital Outpatient Rehab Center

 

Amy Barfield (right) is one of two certified hand therapists who recently joined the team at WellStar Kennestone Hospital’s Outpatient Rehab Center.

 

The menu of patient services offered through WellStar Kennestone Hospital’s Outpatient Rehab Center has expanded with the recent addition of two certified hand therapists: Amy Barfield and Meredith Brunson.

Barfield, who has won multiple awards for outstanding patient care, has 11 years experience as a certified hand therapist. She is a graduate of the Medical College of Georgia Occupational Therapy Program.  She has taught courses on custom splinting, patient care and functional capacity evaluations, as well as guest lectured, at local colleges.

Brunson also has won many awards for her patient care and has taught courses on various hand therapy topics. She has been a certified hand therapist for the past nine years.  She has 14 years of experience as an occupational therapist and is a University of Florida alumnus.

Barfield and Brunson treat all hand and upper extremity diagnoses. Both were formerly with the Outpatient Rehabilitative Services’ team at WellStar Cobb Hospital.

To make a referral, call 770-793-7600. Fax physician orders and patient contact information to 770-793-7910.

Robert Jansen, M.D., Named Senior Vice President & WellStar Medical Group President

Robert Jansen, M.D., has been named president of the WellStar Medical Group (WMG). Dr. Jansen has served admirably as interim president for the past seven months. With more than 27 years of experience within our System, he understands the private practice of medicine and clearly has shown a passion for this role as an advocate for all physicians.

Dr. Jansen is board certified in internal medicine and nephrology and was one of the original leaders
of the WMG when it was formed in 1994. He joined WellStar in 2007 as vice president of medical
affairs for WellStar Kennestone Hospital and assumed the role of interim president of WMG in March
2011. He is a graduate of Emory University School of Medicine and has a master’s degree in
business administration from Kennesaw State University.

Jon Morris, M.D., Named Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer

Jon Morris, M.D., has been named Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer (CIO) for WellStar Health System. Dr. Morris has served as WellStar's Interim CIO for the past eight months and performed outstandingly during this period.

With more than 30 years of emergency room experience (25 years in our System), he understands that the practice of medicine and information technology have clearly intersected and are permanently linked. Dr. Morris is a high energy, tech savvy physician leader with a passion for ensuring the right
tools are in place for our physicians, nurses and other care givers to deliver world-class healthcare.
Dr. Morris is board certified in emergency medicine. He began practicing in 1980 and joined the WellStar Kennestone Medical Staff in 1986. While still practicing as an emergency physician, he became a WellStar Medical Informatics Consultant in 2006 and in 2009 became WellStar’s Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO). He also continues to practice as an emergency physician on a
part-time basis. He is a graduate of Indiana University School of Medicine with undergraduate degrees in biology and chemistry. He also has a master’s degree in business administration from Kennesaw State University.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Morris on his appointment as our new CIO.

WellStar Executive Appointed to AHA Council - Lou Little to Serve on Governing Council of AHA Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation

Lou Little, WellStar senior vice president of post-acute services and WellStar Windy Hill Hospital president, has been appointed to serve on the governing council of the American Hospital Association (AHA) Section on Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation.  Little’s three-year term begins January 1, 2012.

Governing council members help shape AHA services and policy by advising the AHA on public policy matters, advocacy positions and emerging issues.  The AHA’s Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation Section focuses on the interests and concerns of post-acute providers, including long-term acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies.

“It is an honor to help form the policies of an influential organization like the AHA,” said Little.  “Each member of the council brings a unique expertise, and it will be an educational, as well as fulfilling, experience to serve on the council.”

Little has been employed by WellStar Health System for 14 years providing leadership for post-acute services. He will also continue to serve on the board of directors of the National Association of Long Term Hospitals.

Patient Satisfaction Graphs

Health Place January Promotion

Media Coverage

This story on the CyberKnife, featuring an interview with Dr. McLaughlin, aired on Nov. 16 on CBS Atlanta's Better Mornings Atlanta:
http://www.cbsatlanta.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=6459171

Pulmonary Embolism
The MDJ story featuring Dr. Amyn Hirani of WellStar Medical Group, Pulmonary Medicine, and a patient:
http://www.mdjonline.com/view/full_story/16150464/article-Pulmonary-embolism--Know-the-symptoms--risks?

Dr. Jansen Announcement
The announcement regarding Dr. Jansen's updated title was posted on the Atlanta Business Chronicle Web site on Nov 10.
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2011/11/10/jansen-tapped-as-medical-group.html

Cooler Temps Push Insects Into Homes
Published Nov 1, this article featured Dr. Grace Chiang with WellStar Allergy and Asthma who spoke about spider and other insect bites during this time of year when insects start to come inside the home and out of the cold.
http://www.mdjonline.com/printer_friendly/16240765

Prostate Cancer
This front page story on Monday, Nov 7, featured a former CyberKnife patient who credited the technology with saving his life and an interview with Dr. Kenneth Haile. 
http://www.mdjonline.com/view/full_story/16310788/article-Prostate-cancer-gaining-awareness

WellStar Community Hospice Raises Awareness During Hospice and Palliative Care Month

November was National Hospice Month. Coping with a life-limiting illness is not easy. In fact, it might be the hardest work anyone will ever do. Working with doctors and hospitals, navigating the maze of care needs, figuring out insurance coverage, all in addition to taking care of a family can be overwhelming. WellStar Community Hospice wants the community to know that there’s help.

Hospice providers take the time to talk with patients and loved ones to help them understand their illness and what care options might be available. They make patient wishes a priority and make sure patients get the care they want and deserve.

WellStar to Acquire OrthoSport Physical Therapy

We are very pleased to announce that the WellStar Board of Trustees approved a letter of intent to purchase OrthoSport Physical Therapy. The acquisition is slated to be completed later this month. OrthoSport is a Cobb County-based practice with three locations in Kennesaw, Marietta and Woodstock. It is owned and managed by Kim Chastain, BS, PT, DPT OCS, a board-certified physical therapist with more than 25 years of experience. Niki Groves, DPT, serves as managing chief of operations. Established in 2002, Orthosport employs more than 20 individuals and their operations include aquatic therapy, sports medicine, work injury management, spinal rehab and vestibular and dry needling programs.

Once the acquisition is completed, Chastain will become executive director of outpatient rehabilitation services reporting to Mike Graue and Groves will become director of operations for outpatient rehabilitation services. This acquisition has great synergy with our current rehabilitation services. OrthoSport operations serve injured workers, sports injuries and other low severity patients in community-based locations. These services fit extremely well with our current accredited inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services. WellStar focuses primarily on more intensive rehabilitation programs for stroke patients, patients with traumatic or acquired brain injury or neurological disorders and patients with spinal cord injuries, amputations, hip fractures and multi-trauma. Through this integration, we will be able to provide world-class rehabilitation services to meet the full range of needs within our entire community. We are very fortunate to have found a partner that brings such a successful retail business model to our System. Once the integration is complete, OrthoSport and WellStar’s current outpatient rehabilitation locations will be operated under one management team to facilitate a more cohesive and seamless experience throughout our seven outpatient facilities. This acquisition provides WellStar with an excellent opportunity to expand and grow all of our rehabilitation services. There will be no consolidation of operations or elimination of positions with the integration of OrthoSport. Please join us in welcoming the OrthoSport team to WellStar.

To learn more about OrthoSport visit their website at http://ospthome.com.

Media Coverage: The announced acquisition of this three-location physical therapy practice got placed in the "County by County" section of the AJC on Nov. 10 and in various Patch.com Web sites (one link below).

http://northeastcobb.patch.com/articles/wellstar-to-purchase-orthosport-physical-therapy

Lung Cancer Screenings

Lung cancer screenings are available for $199 per individual or $299 per couple.
To be eligible for the screening, you must be 50 years of age or older with a history of smoking, secondhand tobacco smoke exposure or exposure to occupational or environmental cancer-causing substances.

You are not eligible for this screening exam if you:
• Have had a chest CT within the past 12 months
• Have a history of pulmonary fibrosis
• Are pregnant
• Have a history of cancer (except non-melanoma skin cancer) unless disease-free for five years

Lung cancer screenings are available in Austell, Douglasville, East Cobb, Hiram, Marietta and Woodstock. To schedule yours, call 770-956-STAR (7827).

WellStar Physician Installed as President of American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

Stanley Fineman M.D., was installed last week as the president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. The ACAAI is a professional medical organization headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill., that promotes excellence in the practice of the subspecialty of allergy and immunology. The College, comprising more than 5,000 allergists-immunologists and related health care professionals, fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy and research.

Dr. Fineman sees patients in Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic’s Kennestone and East Cobb offices.

Kennestone Outpatient Rehab